You are moving to a new place in Japan? Congrats!
Now comes the less fun part: paying for it. Between the apartment fees and the actual move, it can get expensive quite quickly. So let me share how I found moving companies, and a few things worth checking before booking.
There is even an expression for this: 引っ越し貧乏 (hikkoshi binbō), roughly “moving-house broke”. Between the deposit, reikin and all the other apartment fees (sometimes extra if you have pets), it adds up quickly. So let’s try to save where we can, including on the move itself!
Spring moves can get expensive…
April is the start of the school and business year in Japan, which means… a lot of people moving at the same time! You may find more apartments to choose from in the months leading up to April, especially January to March, but there are also more people looking. And the moving companies? They get very busy, particularly from mid-March to early April, so prices tend to go up and availability gets tighter.
If you can avoid that peak, it is worth comparing the prices. If you cannot, start requesting quotes early. The transport ministry’s moving-season guidance (in Japanese, PDF) also recommends moving outside the busiest dates where possible.
Flexible dates, cheaper quotes!
Another thing that helped me keep the quotes down: giving a range of dates instead of one exact day. If you can say “any day between X and Y”, preferably on weekdays, the company has more room to fit you into its schedule and may come back with a cheaper option.
The same goes for the time. If you can keep the day free and accept a wide arrival window, say between 8 am and 4 pm, instead of insisting on a specific morning slot, ask about a フリー便 (furī-bin), a flexible-time service.
And don’t worry, it does not necessarily mean waiting all day without any news! In my experience, they let me know a more precise arrival time the day before. Other companies confirm a few days ahead, so just ask when you will hear from them. Keep the agreed window clear, and avoid booking your gas appointment right in the middle of it…
Finding and comparing moving companies
I used Kakaku.com’s moving comparison service (in Japanese) for three moves, with different moving companies each time, and never had a problem. This is not even a sponsored article, but that’s how much it helped me.
It lets you request quotes from several companies: Kakaku is the comparison site; the company you eventually book is the one handling your move.
What I particularly liked was the way the site helps you estimate how much stuff you have. You go through the furniture and appliances, which makes it easier to work out the volume instead of trying to guess it all yourself. Quite useful when you have a whole apartment to move, and also sometimes is good enough without someone visiting your place for the quote finalization.
Have your current and new addresses, preferred moving dates and a list of your belongings ready. Note anything that could complicate access, such as stairs, an elevator that is too small, or somewhere the truck cannot easily park. The more accurate your information, the more useful the quote will be.
About those phone calls…
Once you request quotes, the companies you select can contact you by email or phone. And yes… expect (quite) some calls.
Personally, I ignored the incoming calls at first and compared the quotes I received by email. Once I had picked the most interesting ones, I followed up to finalize the details. That worked well for me over my three moves (with different companies each time, and no issues).
It does not mean every company will complete everything by email. Some need a call or a visit to give an accurate quote, especially when there is a lot to move or access needs checking. Treat an initial estimate as an estimate until the company has confirmed the details.
For the final details, you will need either enough Japanese to discuss the move yourself, or a friend who can help over the phone. The form is one thing, but make sure you can also understand the arrangements and ask questions before confirming!
Compare what is included, not just the number
Before picking the cheapest quote, check what is actually included. A few things I would look at:
- Is the price the final total, including tax, and what could make it change?
- Who packs and unpacks, and are boxes and packing materials included?
- Are furniture disassembly and reassembly included?
- What about disconnecting or installing appliances?
- Is there a fixed arrival time or a wider time window?
- What are the cancellation terms and arrangements if something is damaged?
Get the agreed price and services in writing. You can compare alternatives without committing to the first company that calls.
Your pets need their own moving plan
Do not assume your pets will travel with the furniture. Plan to take them with you, or arrange a suitable specialist transport service separately. If a moving company offers to organize pet transport, confirm exactly how that works before booking.
And what about plants?
Plants are a little less straightforward. You do not necessarily have to move every pot yourself: some companies accept ordinary houseplants with the rest of your belongings, subject to size, packing and transport conditions.
For example, Art Moving’s guidance on potted plants (in Japanese) says it can transport ordinary houseplants where they do not interfere with the other belongings. Large or particularly delicate plants may need a different arrangement.
Tell the company about your plants when requesting the quote, including their size, and ask what it accepts and how they should be packed. For a fragile or much-loved plant, taking it yourself may still be the option you prefer.
One less thing to organize
And that’s it for finding a moving company! I hope this helps you compare a few options and save a bit on the move. Changing apartments already comes with enough fees, so this is one place where it is worth checking the prices.
Of course, the moving company is only one part of it… You will also need to arrange water, gas, electricity, internet and your address changes. We’ll cover those in a separate guide soon!
Information last checked: 11 October 2026.
Leave a Reply